The former presidential candidate of the Labour Party Mr Peter Obi has criticized President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his absence during critical times, raising concerns about the president’s commitment to addressing Nigeria’s urgent challenges.
Mr Peter Obi’s concerns were sparked by President Bola Tinubu’s absence from key events, including the 2023 United Nations General Assembly, a forum where crucial global and domestic issues could be addressed.The Former Labour Presidential Candidate questioned President Tinubu’s handling of the country’s economic woes and urged the president to focus on providing concrete solutions rather than offering what Obi sees as excuses.
Mr Peter. Obi and others believe that leadership requires the president’s active presence, particularly during a period when the nation is grappling with economic hardship, including high inflation and fuel prices.
Critics argue that Tinubu’s government has not effectively addressed these concerns, further widening the gap between the administration and the suffering masses.
The perception of absentee leadership in Nigeria has caused unrest, as many feel the country’s top leaders should be more visibly engaged in managing its challenges He argued that Nigeria, currently facing economic difficulties including soaring inflation and fuel costs, needs a leader who is visibly engaged and actively working towards solutions.
Mr Peter Obi’s comments reflect a broader concern among critics that Tinubu’s administration has failed to adequately address the country’s worsening economic conditions, and his absence further distances him from the struggles of ordinary Nigerians.
The presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the last election, Peter Obi has expressed dismay over President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President, Kashim Shettima’s absence from the country amid the economic and other challenges facing the nation
The presidency recently announced President Bola Tinubu’s departure from Abuja for a two-week vacation in the UK.Thereafter,Mr Kabir Masari, the senior special assistant on political matters to the president, said Tinubu had left the UK for France,Vice-President Kashim Shettima is on a two-day working visit to Sweden.
The presidency had stated that the absences of the country’s first and second citizens does not translate to a vacuum in the nation’s leadership.While Nigerians groan and lament, the president has spent almost three weeks every month outside the country with his newly acquired jet which cost the country almost $200m.
The new Airbus A330 was acquired amid protest and without National Assembly approval. –Mr Peter Obi carpeted the president for extending his leave above all for sending Shettima who should be on the ground to Sweden when he would have simply flown there being just two hours close.
He said the president and his deputy have refused to be fiscally responsible at a time when Nigerians are facing severe hunger and poverty.
“While it is arguable that with the President and Vice President absent from the Villa , there is no vacancy in the Presidency, in a situation where both the President and Vice President are out of the country, as reported in the media yesterday, it’s concerning for a country with such myriads of domestic problems,” Obi posted on X.
“The President had told us he would only be gone for 14 days. The 14 days have passed now, and we are waiting to see him in the country.“One would have expected him to return earlier than expected, considering the volume of work that needs to be done in a troubled nation like ours.
“The untold hardship that has been unleashed on our people as a result of some of his administration’s policies is unimaginable and we need his urgent attention to pilot the nation out of this present situation.
While it is arguable that with the President and Vice President absent from the Villa , there is no vacancy in the Presidency, in a situation where both the President and Vice President are out of the country, as reported in the media yesterday, it’s concerning for a country with…“Again, since the President is reportedly in Paris, France, which is just about 833 nautical miles from Stockholm, Sweden, one wonders why he did not just attend the 2-day working visit to Sweden.
“He could simply have done it on his way back from France with his new powerful jet, which would have taken him a little over 2 hours.“This would have saved time and the very scarce national resources we need critically at this time.
“Instead, he delegated the Vice President, who needed to travel 3055 nautical miles, over nine hours, and (about 4 times the travel time from Paris) Abuja, Nigeria, to Stockholm, Sweden, to represent him at the event.
“It would take about 4 times the time and distance it takes to travel from Paris to Stockholm to travel from Abuja to Stockholm.
”Mr Peter Obi added that now is the time for politicians “to show true and committed leadership to the people by making decisions that prioritize the well-being of the people and effective management of the nation’s scarce resources”.
